Do Braces Lead to Airway Constriction?

Many people will see an orthodontist or orthopedist because of airway issues. Whether it’s because their teeth are crowded or because their jaw is misaligned, the reality is that many people struggle with intake. If you’re wondering whether getting braces will cause these problems, effectively making things worse before they get better, we’ll look at what you should know.

Braces and Airways

For most patients, braces will not cause any type of airway constriction. However, there is a small subset of people who will need additional treatment before they get braces, and these addendums do have the potential to cause airway issues. For instance, a tooth extraction can cause the jaw, teeth, or tongue to fall back, narrowing your airway. If the orthodontist in Solon, OH, needs to retract the teeth, the retraction can again cause the jaw and tongue to shift toward the back of the mouth.

What You Can Do

The best thing that you can do is find an experienced professional with extensive experience in airway-focused orthodontics in Solon, OH. The best treatments will include contingency plans to widen the jaw or otherwise intervene before the problem has a chance to progress. The other major patient responsibility is keeping in touch after treatment. The more communication with your dental team, the less likely you’ll encounter major issues.

Braces in Solon

Braces are a major decision for anyone, no matter how old or what the dental issues are. If you want to do it right the first time, the McGuire Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics staff is here to help. No matter how your teeth are configured or how you respond after the final brackets are set, our team can find solutions to help you breathe easier.